I was thinking of trying FSG again, bur one of the things I disliked about it was that it caught in my hair and wasn't easy to evenly distribute. My leave in has slippery elm extract and I've found a bottle at Super Supplements. The same store also has Marshmallow Root Powder.

1. Will the powder work or do I need the actual herb? (NVM my local co-op had it!)

2. Is marshmallow root better or the same as slippery elm as far as effectiveness goes?

I haven't tried elm extract on its own (although I know it's in both CJ Pattern Pusha and KCKT) but marshmallow root is very slippery. I've boiled it pure a couple of times to detangle my hair. I also add vitamin e oil and AVG to my FSG which might make it easier for me to distribute.

You mean the 'snot' like texture is difficult to distribute? Some are improving that by stick blending the flaxseed gel.

Originally Posted by Firefox7275

No, it was more that the product itself had too much friction when applied. It wasn't slippery enough, despite the slimey texture. I just made a batch with the marshmallow root, so I'm excited to give it a go...whenever I decide to stop being lazy on my day off.

Both are wonderful! I have the actual herbs, and I put them both in a knee high stocking then boil. The results are very slippery (:

Originally Posted by dresdendoll

Hey you! How are you? Long time no see .

I actually steeped mine overnight, like tea, and then boiled my flax seeds in that water after I strained the marshmallow root from them. I don't know if the order matters but it seemed to work for other people.

Both are wonderful! I have the actual herbs, and I put them both in a knee high stocking then boil. The results are very slippery (:

Originally Posted by dresdendoll

Hey you! How are you? Long time no see .

I actually steeped mine overnight, like tea, and then boiled my flax seeds in that water after I strained the marshmallow root from them. I don't know if the order matters but it seemed to work for other people.

Originally Posted by Jessiebanana

I'm great! How are you? I have just been very busy these past few weeks, but I am so glad to be back because I missed you curlies(:

That sounds like a good idea! Let me know how it works; I will definitely try that next time.

2c/2b with some 2a, coarse, dense, thick, low porosityGrowing out a CL bob. Currently at APL. CG again as of 7/20/12

Aha! So it did work. It distributes so much better now. I think next week I'll use more marshmallow root. I used a 1/4 cup to 1 cup of water. Or I might trying boiling them together and then straining it in one step.

Also the marshmallow root feels almost like it seals my hair, except it isn't oily or coatey and it rinses clean. I might even try the marshmallow root on it's on with some xanthan gum.

I have been using MM in my okra gel for slip, which dose help quite a bit. I have also started wearing gloves to apply my okra gel, which dramatically reduces hair pulling. Was thinking of adding slippery elm to my mix also. Let me know if you try it out. I believe I read on a thread at some point.. about using MM and guar gum(or some other thickener) as a detangler lotion.

2b/c CG since 8/12
I have low porosity and fine/med texture. Easily weighed down and VERY frizzy crown, with straighter under layers